It started when the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tenn., in 2001. It was followed seven years later by the Seattle SuperSonics packing for Oklahoma City, until the unrelated outcomes had merged into a coincidental trend in the summer of 2008.

What the NBA's shrinking West Coast presence will not become, most of those directly affected say, is an actual issue.

Four California teams – the Kings, Warriors, Lakers and Clippers – remain with Phoenix and Portland in the region. They are holdovers from the former Pacific Division, a seven-team grouping that became five teams after 2004 realignment that moved the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics into the newly created Northwest Division. But apart from Portland losing a rival 175 miles up Interstate 5, coaches and executives from clubs and the league office expect little negative impact for the six remaining franchises.

"The teams in the Western Conference have always had to travel more, just because of the fact that they're spaced out so much geographically," said Joel Litvin, the NBA president of league and basketball operations. "I suppose this has a slight impact on Portland's travel because of fewer games against Seattle. But I think it's just marginal."

It just became more spaced out for teams on the Left Coast, though much better for teams in Texas, Louisiana or Memphis going to Oklahoma City twice a year instead of Seattle.

"I don't know if it's quantifiable," Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said of the potential impact on wins and losses. "I know it's tougher on bodies every time you get on a plane and fly three hours vs. 30 minutes. That can take a toll."

And, therefore, a new bonus for clubs in or close to the Central time zone.

"Absolutely," Pritchard said. "It's all about flying and being in the air the least amount of time that you possibly can."

Most seem to discount the chance of tangible on-court repercussions, though, from the two teams leaving the West Coast in a relatively short time, after no relocations since 1985.

Kings coach Reggie Theus said: "I don't find it to be a negative. I just hate to see cities lose a franchise because there's always a lot of very loyal fans that don't get a chance anymore. But logistically, going to Oklahoma or Seattle, no (big change)."

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy likewise expects no basketball carryover from the new NBA mapping, noting, "Portland is going to be on an island by themselves a little bit, but it's not going to be a major development for anyone."

Indeed, the Trail Blazers are closer to two Pacific Division teams, the Warriors and Kings, than any club from their own Northwest Division.

The NBA hasn't faced the potential for such a migration issue, minor as it may be, for decades. When the Hornets fled Charlotte, N.C., in 2002, after all, the fresh start was in New Orleans, about 700 miles away. The Seattle franchise relocating to Oklahoma City – with a sweeping identity makeover including a name change to Thunder – is a difference of approximately 1,900 miles. Vancouver moving to Memphis meant a swing of some 2,200 miles.

Once stopping at Minneapolis in the north and Houston in the south, the (so-called) West now stretches to the eastern lip of Louisiana. The Hornets can drive to Florida in three hours.

The most recent move costs the Kings the quick-hit swing up to Seattle, some 600 miles away. The journey to central Oklahoma is more like 1,400 miles and will be packaged with other regional stops for longer trips. No more there-and-backs from Sacramento to Puget Sound.

Two destinations within two hours' flying time have been lost to the Kings within the decade. At least going charter, as opposed to commercial airlines, makes handling the extra miles easier.

"It's kind of hard to say because everybody travels charter," Theus said. "If it's commercial, maybe (there is an issue). It's a little bit longer of a flight. But the (logistical differences) are not that great."

Realignment is not being considered, league officials have said repeatedly. The Northwest Division had stretch marks anyway, strung together from Portland to Salt Lake City to Minneapolis in a gathering that spans two time zones. Now comes Oklahoma City, as its southern-most franchise and just plain far away from the Pacific coast.

Call The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper, (916) 321-1210.